The Sandman (1983): cast, story & where to watch
1983 · Film · ★ 10
Released in 1983, The Sandman is a drama and history film directed by Dagmar Damek, running about 71 minutes.
What it’s about. Based on the classic 19th century tale by German writer/composer E.T.A. Hoffmann, the film investigates the tale's themes of obsession and madness, emphasizing expressionist imagery and theatrical style. The story relates the life of the young student Nathanael, whose childhood memories are haunted by a sinister man. As a child, Nathanael believed this dark figure to be the mythic Sandman, who puts children to sleep by stealing their eyes. When confronted by this same evil presence as an adult, he is pushed toward madness as he tries to confront his childhood fears.
Who’s in it. The Sandman stars Christoph Waltz as Nathanael, Monika Baumgartner, Dominic Raacke and Rudolf Schündler, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, The Sandman sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Sandman page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Sandman tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Sandman (1983)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Sandman change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Sandman worth watching?
- The Sandman holds an audience score of 10.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Sandman?
- The Sandman stars Christoph Waltz, Monika Baumgartner, Dominic Raacke, Rudolf Schündler and Claus Eberth.
- When was The Sandman released?
- The Sandman was released in 1983, with a runtime of about 71 minutes.